I was walking down stairs in front of a rental property. It was raining and unfortunately my Landlord does not have any slip-proof mats on the stairs, causing them to be very slippery. I fell and slid from the top all the way to the bottom.
At first I didn’t feel much pain but when I woke up the next morning I could barely move. I’m going to the ER today because the pain is getting worse by the minute. Do I have a case? Thanks.
Disclaimer: Our response is not formal legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information provided. Do not rely upon the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site, when deciding the proper course of a legal matter. Always get a personalized case review from a local attorney.
Answer
Dear Rhonda,
The extent of your injuries will be a substantial determinant in whether you have a case or not.
Hopefully your trip to the emergency room will yield nothing more than some sprains. In the Personal Injury business sprains, contusions, and bruising are considered “Soft Tissue” injuries.
If your injuries are limited to soft tissue, you might speak with your landlord and ask if she will pay the medical bills you incurred as a result of the fall.
On the other hand if your injuries turn out to be more serious, and as a result will require hospitalization and extensive medical treatment, you may want to consider pursuing the landlord to pay your medical bills, out of pocket expenses, lost wages, and a subjective amount of money for your Pain and Suffering.
To do so you can attempt to pursue your case without counsel, or consider retaining an experienced Personal Injury Attorney to represent you.
Proving a case of negligence against your landlord will require evidence in the form of medical testimony. You can be sure if the insurance company refuses to acknowledge the liability of their insured (the landlord), you will be in the case for the “long haul”.
Additionally, you will probably have to hire your own medical experts to present testimony proving your injuries are serious and, most importantly, they were the direct and proximate cause of your injuries.
The costs of pursuing a lawsuit can be staggering. Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys normally take responsibility for the costs of litigation, and will not charge you any fee if they lose your case.
Learn more here: Do You Deserve Compensation for Falling Down Stairs?
The above is general information. Laws change frequently, and across jurisdictions. You should get a personalized case evaluation from a licensed attorney.
Find a local attorney to give you a free case review here, or call 888-972-0892.
We wish you the best with your claim,
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